Apparatus for treating or servicing a well



Aug. 13, 1963 .1. D. COLEMAN ETAL ,1

APPARATUS FOR TREATING OR SERVICING A WELL Filed Jan. 19, 1959 Joe 0. Coleman Charles L. Boyd INVENTORS ATIORNEY United States Patent 3,100,530 APPARATUS FfiR TREATING OR EsERVlClNG A WELL Joe D. Coleman, Bartlesville, and Charles L. Boyd, Duncan, Tilda, assignors to Halliburton Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 19, B59, Ser. No. 737,441 12 Claims. (Cl. 166-53) This invention relates generally to apparatus useful in connection with the movement of materials or equipment in oil and gas wells or the like.

The invention may be applied to particular advantage in connection with equipment used in well treating or servicing operations, such as those performed to seal olf or plug oil and gas wells or the like by pumping cementitious materials to a desired location in the well.

In plugging by conventional means, it is common practice to place a string of steel tubing in the well. An oil field rig capable of running the steel tubing into and out of the well, as well as the steel tubing itself, must be provided to perform the plugging operation. In many cases, it is both uneconomical and inconvenient to obtain the equipment and the tubing required.

It has long been desired to be able to perform the aforesaid plugging and like treating or servicing operations in a well by simply running a flexible conduit or hose that is economical and easily transportable into the well and pumping the treating or servicing materials through the hose to the desired point of application. However, because of the inherent stretching and other characteristics of hoses, there is a likelihood that the force resulting due to the weight of a relatively long length of the hose hanging free in the well will greatly deform and possibly break the hose.

A general object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus useful in connection with the movement of materials or equipment in oil and gas wells or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus utilizing the same in performing a well treating or servicing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus utilizing the same in sealing-0E or plugging a well with cementitious material.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for controlling flexible members introduced into an oil or gas well or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for controlling a flexible member having a tendency to elongate or stretch during the reeling thereof.

'A further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus utilizing the same in controlling the stretching of a flexible member, such as a flexible conduit or hose, during the positioning and movement thereof in an oil or gas well or the like.

In accordance with the invention, the movement of a relatively stretchable elongated member, such as a flexible conduit or hose, in a well is controlled or facilitated by employing an arrangement including a relatively nonstretchable elongated member, such as a flexible cable, which is clamped at intervals to the hose. Separate reeling means are provided for the hose and cable and special control means is provided for adjusting the driving force applied to the hose reeling means upon variations occurring in the load on the hose. The control means includes pressure-responsive means actuated by increases in the load on the hose for limiting the driving force applied to the hose reeling means, the arrangement being such that the cable supports at least a portion of the load on the hose when the pressure-responsive means is actuated.

The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of Cir the invention will become more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters denote similar parts and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an illustration of a well equipped with apparatus in accordance with the invention, the apparatus including reeling and control equipment shown schematically near the mouth of the well which is shown in cross section with a portion of the equipment disposed therein.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the invention is there illustrated and is hereinafter described, by way of example, as being applied to equipment arranged for performing a treating or servicing operation in a well bore It). The lower end of the well bore 10 is shown closed by a plug 12 of cementitious material. A hollow sinker member 14 is shown disposed in the Well bore 10 at a location just above the plug 12. The hollow sinker 14- is shown with its lower end closed and, thereabove, is provided with radimly spaced lateral openings 15 which extend through the lower portion of the side wall of the sinker M and provide fluid communication between the hollow interior thereof and the well bore 18. The upper end of the sinker 14 is connected to the lower end of a hose 16 which in turn is intervally interconnected to a cable 18 by several clamps 29.

It will be noted that the hose 16 and the: cable 18 are disposed generally in side by side relation to each other and extend upwardly together to the top or mouth of the well bore 10, then pass through or over separate parts of a guiding mechanism 21 onto separate reels Z2 and 24, respectively. The hose reel 22 is of the continuous type; i.e., materials may be pumped through the hose to while it is being reeled.

The reels 22 and 24 are shown mounted near the mouth of the well on surfaces 25 and 26, respectively, which may be a common surface provided on a truck, skid, or other mobile unit. The cable reel 24 is shown directly coupled, as indicated by a dashed line 27, to driving means including a motor 28. On the other hand, the hose reel 22 is shown indirectly coupled through a hydraulic system to a driving means which includes a motor 30. It is understood that the motors 28 and 30 may be of any suitable type, such as electric, gasoline, or diesel and both need not be of the same type. Also, the separate motors 28 and 3t) may be replaced by a single motor capable of driving both of the reels 22 and 24.

The hydraulic system operably associated with the hose reel 22 includes a hydraulic pump 32 which is coupled to and adapted to be driven by the motor 30, as indicated by dashed line 3'4. This hydraulic system also includes a hydraulic motor as which is coupled to the reel 22, as indicated by dashed line 38. A tank or reservoir 40 for hydraulic fluid is connected through a pipe 42 directly to the pump 32 and is also connected through a pipe 44 directly to the hydraulic motor 36. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the hydraulic motor 36 is at times driven by the reel 22 and is at other times employed in driving the reel 22. In the latter situation, the motor is itself driven by fluid pressure applied thereto through the hydraulic system which includes the pump 32.

Between the pump 32 and the hydraulic motor 36 is a check valve 46 which is shown connected through a pipe 48 to the ptunp 32 and through a pipe Sit to the hydraulic motor 36. The valve 46 is adapted to permit fluid flow thereth-rough in a direction from the pipe 48 into the pipe 5t) while preventing fluid flow therethrough in the reverse direction.

Between the pipe 5i} and the reservoir 40 is a throttling valve 52 which is shown connected between sections 54 and 56 of a branch pipe extending from the pipe 5t? into the reservoir 40. The throttling valve 52 may be any of various conventional and well known devices capable of predetermined value.

3 functioning as an adjustable valve having a variable flow capacity.

Between the pipe 48 and the reservoir 40 is a check valve 58 which is shown connected between sections 60' and 62 of a branch pipe extending from the pipe 48 to the reservoir 48. The valve 58 is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough ina direction from the pipe section 62 into the pipe section 66 while preventing fluid flow therethrough in the reverse direction. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the check valve 58 is not needed where the separate motors 28 and 38 are employed for driving the separate reeling systems, as in the illustrated arrangement, but the check valve 58 may be used where a single motor is employed instead of the separate motors 28 and "Also between the pipe 48 and the reservoir 40 is a I relief valve 64 which is shown connected between sections 66 and 68 of another branch pipe extending from the pipe 48 to the reservoir All. The relief valve 54 is a pressure-responsive valve that is normally closed and is adapted to open to permit fluid flow therethrough in a direction from the pipe section 66 into the pipe section 68 upon the differential pressure thereacross reaching a Thereafter the valve 64 remains open until the differential pressure thereacross decreases to a lower predetermined value.

In order to facilitate the operation of lowering the hose 16, cable 18 and sinker 14 into the well, as will appear more fully hereinafter, the hydraulic motor 36 is preferably of the type which can also operate as a fluid pump. Thus, the motor 36 can be driven either by force applied thereto mechanically, such as due to rotation of the reel 22 coupled thereto, or by force applied hydraulically due to fluid being pumped therethrongh, such as when the pump 32 is operated to pump fluid through that portion of the hydraulic system which includes the pipes 5t) and 44.

A second hydraulic system is illustrated which is operably associated with the cable reel 24 This system includes a hydraulic pump 70 which is shown directly coupled to the cable reel 24, as indicated by dashed line 72, and also includes a reservoir 74 for hydraulic fluid connected through a pipe 76 to the hydraulic pump 78. The pump 70 is also connected to the reservoir 74 through a pipe section 78 connected to a throttling valve 80 and a pipe section 82 which is connected to the valve 80 and the reservoir 74. The throttling valve 80 may be similar to the throttling valve 52 previously described, being also an adjustable valve having a variable flow capacity.

Between the pipe section 82 and the pipe section '78 is a check valve 84- which is shown connected between sections 86 and 88 of a pipe by-passing the throttling valve 8%). The valve 84 is adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough in a direction from the pipe section 86 into the pipe section 88 while preventing fluid flow therethrough in the reverse direction.

In an operation whereby a plug 12 of cementitious material is placed in the well bore 10, the apparatus in accordance with the invention is connected to equipment (not shown) that is capable of mixing and pumping the cementitious material. This connection is effected by attaching, as by a releasable union, the discharge pipe extending from the pumping equipment (not shown) to an inlet 90 of the hose reel 22.

In the first phase of the operation, the hose I16 and cable 18 are manually drawn from the reels 22 and 24. After the hose 16 and cable 18 are passed through the guiding mechanism 21, the sinker 14 is attached to the end of the hose 16. One of the clamps 20 is then manual 1y actuated to clamp the cable '18 to the hose 16 in a side by side relationship. After this has been accomplished, the sinker 14, hose 16, and cable '18 are directed into the well bore 10. The manual unreeling of the hose 16 and cable 18 is continued until the weight of the sinker 1-4, hose 16, and cable 18 extending into the well bore 4 18 is sufficient to overcome the resistance of the reels 22 and 2 to rotation. While the hose 16, cable 18, and sinker B4 are being lowered into the well bore 10, the

clamps it} previously placed between sections of the hose is? are attached at intervals to the cable 18.

The rate of lowering the hose 16, cable 18, and sinker 14 into the well bore 18 is controlled by adjusting the throttling valves 52 and 88* which are located in thehydraulic systems associated with the reels 22 and 24. Since the reel 22 is caused to rotate when the sinker 14 and hose lii are being lowered into the well and since the motor Ed is coupled to the reel 22, the motor 36 is also caused to rotate during the lowering phase of the operation. This mechanical driving of the motor causes it to perform as a hydraulic pump, pumping fluid from the reservoir 4% through the pipe 44. The fluid thenpasses from the hydraulic motor 36 into the pipe 50 closing the check valve 46. When the check valve 46 closes, the fluid is directed through the section 54, through the throttling valve 52 and is returned to the reservoir 40 through the pipe section 56. It is apparent that the volume of fluid flowing can be regulated by adjusting the throttling valve 52 and can be stopped if the throttling valve 52. is completely closed. Since the hose reel 22 is coupled to the hydraulic motor 36, it follows that the speed of rotation of the reel 22 depends on the speed of rotation of the hydraulic motor 36 when the motor 36 performs as a pump, its speed rotation depends on the volume of fluid which it can displace or pump. Consequently, when the volume of fluid pumped is reduced or stopped altogether by partially or completely clos ng the throttling valve 52, the rotation of the reel 22 which is coupled to the motor 36 will also slow or stop, as the case may be.

The hydraulic system associated with the cable reel 24 controls the rotative speed of the cable reel 24. The hydraulic pump 76 is coupled to and driven by the cable reel 24. Hydraulic fluid is pumped by the pump 70 from the reservoir 74 through the pipe 7s. The fluid then flows through the pipe section 78. Part of the fluid may enter the pipe section 88 but, due to the check valve 84, is prevented from entering the pipe section 86. Thus, all of the fluid must flow through the pipe section 78 and through the throttling valve 88 prior to returning to the reservoir '74 through the pipe section 82. The rotative speed control of the cable reel 24 is attained by adjusting the throttling valve in a manner similar to the afore-described rotative speed control of the hose reel 22. V

The second or treating phase of the operation begins when the bottom of the sinker 14 reaches a position at or near the lower portion of the zone. of the well bore 10 at which the plug 12 is to be placed. The downward movement of the sinker .14 is stopped at this point by closing the throttling valves 52 and 80 stopping the reels 22 and 24 as has been previously described. Cementitious material is then pumped through the hose reel 22, the hose 16, and the sinker 14 into the well bore 10' by the use of conventional pumping equipment '(not shown). The sinker 14, hose 16, and cable 18 are restrained from moving upwardly in the Well bore ill because the cementitious material being pumped downwardly through the sinker l4 impinges on the closed bottom end of the sinker 14 and flows thence out of the sinker 14 in an upwardly direction into the well bore 16* through the radially spaced openings 15 in the sinker 14. The material impinging on the bottom of the sinker 14 and the change in direction of the material imparts a downward force on the sinker 14. This is of particular advantage because it obviates the necessity for having any type of anchoring device on the sinker 14 or hose 16.

When the desired quantity of cementitious material has been deposited in the well bore '10, the third or reeling phase of the operation begins. During the reeling phase, the apparatus according to the invention provides the essential advantages of reeling both the hose 16 and the cable 18 with tension on them as well as limiting or controlling the force applied to the hose 16 to prevent it from stretching to excess and/or breaking. This is accomplished by the hydraulic system associated with the hose reel 22 operating in conjunction with the cable reel 24 through the clamps 2t and the cable 18.

When the pump 32 is driven by the motor hydraulic fluid is pumped from the reservoir 4t through the pipes 48 and St to the hydraulic motor 36, passing through the open check valve 4-6. The throttling valve 52 is closed while the hose 1d and cable 13 are being reeled. The hydraulic fluid being pumped drives the hydraulic motor 36 which, in turn, drives the hose reel :22 reeling the hose 16. The hydraulic fluid flows from the hydraulic motor 36 back to the reservoir through the pipe 44. As hereinbefore indicated, the check valve 58 and pipe sections 69 and 62 are not needed where the separate motors 28 and 3-0 are employed. However, if a single motor is used to replace the motors 2'8 and 3t), driving both reeling systems, it is necessary either that a suitable clutch be included or else that the pump 32 be permitted to operate in a reverse direction during the lowering phase of the operation. The need for a clutch is avoided by including the by-pass arrangement. Thus, the fluid pumped by the pump 32 during its reverse operation is permitted to reach the pump 32 by flowing from the reservoir 4% through the pipe 62 and the open check valve 53 and is permitted to return to the reservoir 4% by flowing through the pipe 42. There is no interference with the fluid being pumped at the same time in another part of: the same hydraulic system due to the rotation of the hydraulic motor 35.

The system operates in this manner as long as the pressure in the hydraulic system between the pump 32 and the hydraulic motor 36 remains below the predetermined value at which the normally closed pressure-responsive valve 64 is set to open.

The load on the hose 16 may increase while reeling due to the tendency of the hose 16 to resist movement and stretch, due to dragging in the well bore It or due to the rotative speed of the cable reel 24 being so slow as to cause the cable 18 to be moving at a slower speed than the hose 1'6. The increase in load on the hose 16 causes an increase in the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the system driving the hose reel 22. The normally closed pressure-responsive valve 64 opens when the pres sure in the system exceeds a predetermined value and allows a portion of the fluid to flow through the pipe section 68 to the reservoir 40. This fluid bypasses the hydraulic motor 36, reducing the pressure in the system and consequently limiting the force that the hose reel .22 can apply to the hose to. The additional force required to reel the hose 16 is provided by the cable reel 24 through the cable 18 and the clamps 2%). In the event that the cable reel 24 provides sufficient force to overcome the excess load on the hose 16, the pressure in the hydraulic system will decrease allowing the valve 64 to return to its normally closed position.

It is possible by this means to prevent the hose 16 from being brolren and, yet, to be able to reel the hose 16 neatly and efliciently on the hose reel 22 with tension on' it and, at the same time, reel the cable 18 on the cable reel 24 with tension on it also.

The hydraulic system associated with the cable reel 24, when the throttling valve 89 is closed, serves only as a hydraulic brake to prevent the cable 18' from moving downwardly in the well bore 14 as has been previously explained, should it be desired to stop reeling while removing the cable 13 from the well bore lit. During the reeling phase of the operation, the pump 79 coupled to the cable reel 24 is driven in a direction which is reverse to the direction in which it was driven during the lowering phase of the operation. Since the throttling valve 85 is then closed, this reverse pumping causes fluid from the reservoir 74 to pass through the check valve 84 which thus provides a by-pass in the hydraulic system so that the 6 hydraulic brake does not operate or interfere with the rotation of the reel 24 in the direction necessary to raise the cable 18 out of the well.

The plugging operation explained herein is by way of illustration only and it will be understood that the invention may also be applied in connection with other treating or servicing operations that require the placing of materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state in oil and gas wells or the like.

It will be understood that other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts and that the method of operation may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated members adapted to be intervally clamped together and moved side by side through a well bore, one of said members being relatively more stretchable than the other, a separate reel for each of said members, driving means for said reels including a hydraulic system operably associated with the reel used with the more stretchable member, said hydraulic system including pressure-responsive control means operable to limit the driving force applied to said last mentioned reel, said control means being adapted to limit said driving force when the load on the 'more stretchable member exceeds a predetermined value.

2. Apparatus for use in performing a Well operation comprising a flexible conduit and a flexible cable adapted to be moved side by side through a well bore, separate eeling means for said conduit and cable, driving means for said reeling means including a hydraulic system operably associated with said conduit reeling means, said hydraulic system including pressure-responsive means ac tuated by increases in loads on said conduit to limit the driving force applied to said conduit reeling means, and means for intervally clamping together the unreeled lengths of said conduit and cable.

3. Apparatus for use in performing a well operation comprising a flexible conduit and a flexible cable adapted to be moved side by side through a well bore, separate reeling means for said conduit and cable, driving means for said reeling means including a hydraulic system operably associated with said conduit reeling means, said hydraulic system including pressure-responsive means actuated upon the load on said conduit exceeding a predetermined value to limit the driving force applied to said conduit reeling means, and means for intervally clamping together the unreeled lengths of said conduit and cable.

4. Apparatus for use in performing a well operation comprising a flexible conduit and a flexible cable adapted to be moved side by side through a well bore, separate reeling means for said conduit and cable, driving means for each of said reeling means including a hydraulic system operably associated with the conduit reeling means, said hydraulic system including a normally-closed pressure-responsive valve adapted to open when the load on said conduit exceeds a predetermined value and thereby to limit the driving force applied to said conduit reeling means, and means for intervally clamping together the unreeled lengths of said conduit and cable.

5. Apparatus for use in performing a Well operation comprising a flexible conduit adapted to be moved through a well bore for carrying substances thereinto, a flexible cable adapted to be moved through the well bore in side by side relation to said conduit, means for in tervally clamping together the portions of said conduit and cable introduced into the well bore, separate reeling means for each of said conduit and cable disposed near the mouth of the well, driving means for each of said reeling means, a hydraulic system operably associated with the driving means for said conduit reeling means, said hydraulic system including a normally-closed pressure-responsive valve adapted to open upon the pressure of hydraulic fluid in said hydraulic system exceeding a predetermined value due to an increased load on said conduit, said valve when opened being adapted to limit the driving force applied to said conduit reeling means.

6. Apparatus for use in performing a well operation comprising a flexible conduit adapted to be moved through a well bore for carrying substances thereinto, a flexible cable adapted to be moved through the well bore in side by side relationship to said conduit, means for intervally clamping together the portions of said conduit and cable introduced into the well bore, separate reeling means for each of said conduit and cable disposed near the mouth or" the well, driving means for said cable reeling means, driving means for said conduit reeling means including a motor to provide a driving force and a hydraulic system for transmitting and limiting the driving force delivered from said motor to said conduit reeling means, said hydraulic system including a normally-closed pressure-responsive valve adapted to open upon the pressure of hydraulic fluid in said hydraulic system exceeding a predetermined value due to an increased load on said conduit and adapted to return to its normally-closed position upon the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system decreasing below a predetermined value, said value when opened being adapted to limit the driving force applied to said conduit reeling means whereby said cable due to being clamped to said conduit is then caused to supoprt at least a portion of the load on said conduit.

7. Apparatus for use in performing a well operation arate reeling means for said conduit and cable located near the mouth of the well for reeling and unreeling said conduit and cable, driving means associated with said cable reeling means including a motor, driving means for said conduit reeling means including a motor and a hydraulic system for transmitting and limiting the force applied by said motor to said conduit reeling means while reeling said conduit thereupon and means for controlling the rotative speed of said conduit reeling means while unreeling said conduit therefrom, means for controlling the rotative speed of said cable reeling means while unreeling said cable therefrom, said hydraulic system including a normally-closed pressure-responsive valve adapted to open upon the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system exceeding a predetermined value due to an increased load on said conduit thereby limiting the force applied to said conduit reeling means and said valve adapted to return to its normally closed position upon the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system decreasing below a predetermined value, means for intervally clamping together said conduit and cable whereby said cable is caused to support at least a portion of the load on said conduit when said pressure-responsive valve is in the open position.

8. Apparatus for treating or servicing a well, comprising in combination: a flexible conduit spooled upon a first reel and having a portion extending into the well, a flexible cable'spooled upon a second reel and having a portion extending into the well, clamp means spaced at intervels along said portions of the conduit and the cable within the well and connecting the conduit and the cable for movement as a unit within the well, means whereby material may be introduced into the well through said first reel and said flexible conduit, and meansfor effecting controlled turning movement of said reels.

9. Apparatus for treating or servicing a well, comprising in combination: a flexible conduit spooled upon a first reel and having a portion suspended in'the well, a flexible cable spooled upon a second reel and having a portion suspended in the well, removable clamp means spaced at intervals along said portions of said conduit and said cable within the well and connecting the conduit and the cable portions for movement as a unit within the well, means whereby material may be introduced into the well through said first reel and said flexible conduit, and means for controlling the rate of unspooling movement of said reels under tension forces in said conduit and said cable due to the Weight of said suspended portions.

lO. Appanatus for treating or servicing a well, comprising in combination: a flexible conduit spooled upon a first reel and having a portion suspended in the well, a flexible cable spooled upon a second reel and having a portion suspended in the well, removable clamp means spaced at intervals along said portions of said conduit and said cable within the well and connecting the conduit and the cable portions for movement as a unit Within the well, means whereby material may be introduced into the well through said first reel and said flexible conduit, and power means for turning of said reels to lift the cable and conduit portions out of the well, said power means including means for limiting the maximum torque applied to said first reel.

ll. Apparatus for treating or servicing a well, comprising in combination: a flexible conduit spooled upon a first reel and having a portion suspended in the well, a flexible cable spooled upon a second reel and having a portion suspended in the well, removable clamp means spaced at intervals along said portions of said conduit and said cable portions within the well and connecting the conduit and the cable for movement as a unit within the well, means whereby material may be introduced into the well through said first reel and said flexible conduit, motor means for 'etfecting controlled turning of said reels, said motor means bein operatively connected to said reels, means for supplying power to said motor means to lift said conduit and cable portions in said well, the latter said means also acting as a brake to limit the rate of turning of the motor means and reels when unspooling under load applied by the weight of said suspended portions.

12. Apparatus for treating or servicing a well, comprising in combination: a-flexible conduit spooled upon a first reel and having a portion suspended in the well, a flexible cable spooled upon a second reel and having portion suspended in the well, removable clamp means spaced at intervals along said portions of saidconduit and said cable within the well and connecting the conduit and the cable for movement as aunit within the Well, a hy-' draulic motor connected to each reel, and controllable hydraulic means for delivering power to each hydraulic motor or receiving power therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

8. APPARATUS FOR TREATING OR SERVICING A WELL, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT SPOOLED UPON A FIRST REEL AND HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING INTO THE WELL, A FLEXIBLE CABLE SPOOLED UPON A SECOND REEL AND HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING INTO THE WELL, CLAMP MEANS SPACED AT INTERVALS ALONG SAID PORTIONS OF THE CONDUIT AND THE CABLE WITHIN THE WELL AND CONNECTING THE CONDUIT AND THE CABLE FOR MOVEMENT AS A UNIT WITH THE WELL, MEANS WHEREBY MATERIAL MAY BE INTRODUCED INTO THE WELL THROUGH SAID FIRST REEL AND SAID FLEXIBLE CONDUIT, AND MEANS FOR EFFECTING CONTROLLED TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID REELS. 